Ponferrada to Villafraca de Bierzo - 16

September 25, 2023
Started at 8 am
Finished at 2pm
15 mile day
Stayed at Micro-Hostel La Puerta Del Pardon, Villafranca de Bierzo

I lost my last summary somehow.

I’ll try to recap. Left Ponferrada with one last look at the Templar’s Castle leaving town. Tried to go the wrong way out of town for a minute or two, but the constant parade of Pilgrims going the opposite direction caused to turn their way hence finding the WAY.

Follows the Rio Lil for a ways out of town, great murals on the overpass supports. Went through a beautiful suburb with gorgeous mansions each taking a city block.

Stopped at a nice church and Cassie got a second pilgrim’s credential. We both got a stamp and moved on.

We enjoyed this part of the morning’s walk, but didn’t like the long walks on the side of a roadway with busy traffic hurriedly going to work. In places there was barely a margin to scoot off on. It was rare to find shade in the afternoon.

At a town we dropped into a Pharmacy and got some emugel recommended by a fellow traveler. We used a little on our feet and found it soothing.

It got very hot toward the last hour and although we had stopped for lunch and each had a cool down and drinks, then later shared a canned lemon fizzy drink on a park bench, we were quickly heating up again. Found ourselves low on bottled water. We are not refilling at potable water stations, although they are plentiful because we’re being careful of what Cassie passes to the baby. With just enough water left to wet the whistle we knew we needed to arrive at a store or cafe soon.

Thankfully we arrived in Villafranca before getting too overheated. We got some cold bottled water and cooled down. Then went to find our hotel. It was very close and we checked in and found the cool room a nice respite.

Showered and restored after a nap we went for dinner where we got to visit with Angelise, a French girl. I love listening to her talk, her over the top exuberance for everything in life and on the trail is very entertaining. She left for her communal alberque dinner and Cassie and I shared a coffee flan for dessert. Very good.

Streets of San Francisco you’ve got nothing on this town. The hills are steep and from experience I can tell you that flip flops are sketchy when trying to walk up and down to and from dinner and the hotel.

Planning for the next day, which will be longer and full of more road walking wasn’t getting anywhere, so we decided to sleep on it and see what the morning brings. Some rain would actually be nice, but another 80plus degrees F is predicted. It’s about a 17-18 mile day with lots of climbing hills. How to slice it and dice it, we shall see.

Goodnight all.Læs mere